Lily Shinn, LCSW - Therapist in Illinois

Stress and anxiety
Grief and loss
Self esteem

About Lily

Lily Shinn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois with 25 years of experience. She helps people manage stress and anxiety, cope with grief and loss, and build self-esteem and confidence. She also supports people facing life changes and difficulties with motivation.

Shinn focuses on straightforward conversation and practical steps. Sessions center on what is happening now and what changes a person wants to make. She encourages open sharing of thoughts and feelings and works to reduce the fear many clients feel about being judged.

Her approach balances listening with concrete techniques to handle day-to-day problems. That can include breaking large worries into smaller tasks, practicing ways to calm down in social situations, and setting achievable goals for confidence and motivation. She aims to help people notice small improvements they can build on.

Shinn has long experience across a wide range of concerns including relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related matters, parenting stresses, anger, career questions, depression, and ADHD. She also has additional focus on aging and geriatric issues, autism and Asperger Syndrome, chronic illness and caregiver stress, cancer and hospice related concerns, and separation and divorce matters.

Sessions are conducted in English and follow the standards of an Illinois LCSW. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. The practice uses a cancellable subscription billing option that varies with location.

Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work

Shinn describes her work as combining attentive listening with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. One common method focuses on breaking big worries into smaller, manageable steps and practicing new behaviors to reduce avoidance and build confidence. This approach can help people who struggle with anxiety or feel held back in social situations.

Another technique emphasizes skill-based coping for strong emotions, such as learning short calming strategies and rehearsing how to respond in challenging moments. This is useful for stress, grief reactions, anger, and times of intense emotional overwhelm.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with the client to choose or adjust methods based on the person’s goals, preferences, and day-to-day needs. That collaborative process helps decide which techniques fit best and how to pace change.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, avoid travel time, or keep appointments during major life transitions. Some formats let people check in quickly when time is limited, while others allow longer conversations when more support is needed.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Self esteem Coping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Intimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepression ADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgiveness Guilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Life purposeMidlife crisisMulticultural concerns Panic disorder and panic attacks Prejudice and discrimination Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Experience

25+ years

Listed in

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What types of concerns does she address?

Lily works with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, coping with life changes, and related issues such as relationship strain, trauma, parenting stress, and career concerns.

What is her general approach in sessions?

She uses straightforward conversation and practical steps, focusing on current problems and small, achievable actions that can reduce distress and build confidence.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 25 years of professional experience as a social worker to her practice.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and practices in Illinois.

In which languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How does payment or cost work?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started with a first session?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.